Wheat heater



Jan. so, 1923. 1,443,597. n w. SCHWEDE.

. WHEAT HEATER. l FILED DEC. 17| 1921.

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ilhliliil S'EES @aus WILHELM SCHWEDE, OF FOLEY, MNNESOTA.

V/'HEAT HEATER.

Application filed December 17, 1921. Serial No. 523,235.

To (AZZ 'whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, lViLnnL-M Sci-rwnnn, a citizen oi the United States, residing at lloley, in the county oi Benton and State of lviinncsota, have invented certain new and usct'ul improvements in lllheat Heaters, ot which the following is a specitication.

This invention relates to wheat heaters for use in flour mills, and more particularly to heaters of the upright gravity type, an object ot' the invention being to provide a gravity heater, in combination with grain elevating means, whereby the grain is repeatedly subjected to a falling movement to cause it to fall into momentary contact with a plurality of steam coils, the repetition of the falling movement occurring in regular progression from the point of intake, latorally across the machine to the point of discharge.

A further object of the invention is the provision orp novel interior batiies, arranged relative to the coils, to cause each kernel of wheat to Jtall in a zig-Zag course to engage alternately, the baiiies and the coils through out its `falling movement, whereby each kernel is brought into contact with the several coils, the device being so constructed as to cause the kernels to revolve in their descent.

A. further object of the invention is to provide a heater of the class described wherein the grain will be evenly heated, owing to feeding provisions, whereby the main entering column of grain is separated into a plurality of columns ot falling wheat, scattered throughout the heating elements, the wheat constituting the divisional columns, being conducted by laterally pitched ducts at the end otl its iall, to elevating mechanism to he thereby elevated to a new portion ot' the coil. thus causing the grain to repeatedly engage-with new portions ot' the heating elements, 'from the time of its entry into the machine to the time of its discharge.

A further object of the invention is to provide a heater of the class described, wherein the grain cannot become seriously overheated asis the case with some columnar `gravity type heaters,-wherein thc grain at times rests for seriously long periods against the heated sui-tace, owing to the roughness oi: the walls oi? the heating element and the side pressure developed. by the column ot wheat. rlhis I accomplish by dividing the in-iin column ot wheat entering at the iniahe, into many ythin columns, and then distributing these columns at regular intervals transversely or the coils, to engage different coll members forming the heating units, in

its journey from one end of the machine .to

the discharge opening, so that the kernels oi: a. specific thin column cannot fall continually on the saine coil member, and thus Ysubject it repeatedly to any irregularity of temperature in any particular coil member. This is a very important feature as overheated or underhcatedgrain precludes the making of good flour.

A still further object of the invention is to provide ample storage room at the base ot the machine underneath the heating elements, so that when a mill is compelled to to shut down temporarily, the falling grain will not accumulate in the interim to an extent to cause it to engage with the hot coils,

the machine being also designed with a view toV-aerating the grain in its fall, or, in other words, permitting the grain to fall loosely in its descent so that the kernels will bound singly in a Zig-zag course.

A further object of the invention is to provide means whereby each series of coils will receive a constant denite quota of grain, as distinguished from heaters, especially of the rotary type, wherein the grain is dashed in greater volume against one side of the coil thanthe other, thus eiecting un v part oi this show the discharge opening within the casing.

Figure 2, is a vertical sectional view line 2 2 of Figure l.

Figure 3, is an isometric perspective view showing the interior construction of t-he machine, lone end wall having been removed f and the top and sides being broken away.

Figure 4, is a lfragmentary perspective view of i the distributing devices for distributing the grain over the coils. y

Figure 5, is a fragment-ary perspective View, drawn to a reduced scale, of the elevator conveyor, three buckets only being' shown.

Figure il, is a vertical sectional View on liue (5 6 ot Fig. l.

lf'gure i, is a 'front Viewlo'lf the upper shalY bearing` of the elevator conveyor.

l-` `ure 8, is a side View oi" tne handle end. ot t e shitting rod forming; part ot the grai" shifting mechanism belenv the heating units.

ligjure 9, is a perspective View showing a specific preferred construction ot the internal ba'lles, and

VFigljure l0, is a Vertical sectional rien' oi: the shut-oil' valres tor the heating pipes.

lleferring' to l'igure l. ol the drawings, A designates an outer, lou;` narrow, rectangular, relatively high casing or shell, the Walls thereot preferably `l'oruied ot' sheet niet-al, bac ted 'with asbestos sheeting, Yfor the purpose of better retaining' the heat. The casing' is constriufted with a reuioif'able side wall l, 'lorn'iiiip one oft the long sides ot' the casing, preferably secured in pogition by bolts haring Wing nuts 2, whereby access to the interior ot' the easing` nay be had.

Generally, the casing consists of end Walls P) and 3, and secondary long side Wall l, the latter being somewhat less in height than the Wall l, the two side Walls being' joined by an inwardly inclined removable top wall portion 5, and a permanent curved top wall portion 6, said removable wall 5, being' also secured in position by bolts and Wing;l nuts siinilar to the Wall l. By removing' the top Wall 5, access to the upper portion of the interior of the casing may be had.

.Extending through the Wall 3, at a point above the side Wall l, is the intake or feed hopper 7, the floor S ot the casing ha ving; a ljacent the end Wall 3, the discharge opening 9, through which the grain may pass to the wetting bin, not shown, by ineans ot the conductor pipe 10.

Generally, the invention consists of ele rating' mechanism B. radiating batteries ot coils C, grain distributing' -devices D, and shiitable or duct mechanism E. The interior ot the casing' A, is constructed with a secondary floor, consisting' ot a dat plate. ll. extending' troni the Wall il downwardly and inwardly, to the inain loor 8, and beyond the longitudinal center ot the latter, and a curved floor portion l2, merginginto said plate so as to torni a trough ne arcuate bottom thereof being concentric With the sha-tt lf3, which latter extends longitudinally of the casing and parallel with the sides and bottoni thereo'l". vertically aligned with said sha-ft and parallel therewith, and preterably concentric with the curved top Wall G. ot the casing, is the shaft ll. rlhe shat 13 extends through the end Walls 3 and Il, and is journaled in the journal boxes l5 which are suitably secured to the respective end Walls.

trlet screwed collars lo on the shaft between the journal boxes and the end Walls, serve to retain the shaft in position. The shalt lf-l, also ext-ends through the respective end walls7 and is provided with siniilar collars lo, and is ournaled in the journal boils l?, said journal boxes being termed with a pair ot laterally "ending arms torined with flanges 15S, having` vertically disposed slotted bolt holes` 19. .Extending` upwardly from the journal box, is the arni :20, the latter being torined with an outfrtanding` lue,` 2l through which loosely extends the vertically disposed adjustment sci-euY 22 haring' a suitable hand Wheel 2l, said adjush ientscrew haring' threaded engagement uit the lugA 24;, \;\;tendiue' outwardly troni the top ot the casing. The adjustment screw is Yoixned with a head underneath the lug` 2l, so that when the sereinv is revolved the journal bearing' be bodily inoi'ed, a suitable bolt in each ot the slotted holes and extending through the oud Walls, sewing' to bold the journal box positioned. Thus, the shaft lei. niay be adjusted vertically to be raised or lowered as the case may be.

ltigidly secured on the respective shafts, are the sprockets 25, Which latter are positioned in vertical alignment and are operatively connected by the sprocket chains 26, whereby the two shafts may be rotated by means et the belt driven pulley 2.7, which is shown mounted on the lower shatt- 1S, but may be carried on either shaft.

A. relatively wide belt 2P, is suitably secured to the sprocket chains, and travels Vwith the latter, said belt being* preferably inade ot ivoren tabric such as canvas and the like as shown in Figure 5, ot the drawings. plurality ot long buckets Q9 angular Yin cross section are suitably secured to the sprocket chains and belt, and are spaced at regular intervals throughout the length ot the latter. The buckets are arranged on the belt in a. manner to scoop up and carry grain frein the trough below to the too ot the Casing; and discharge it toward they ivall 41; thcrcoi said buckets cxtenifmn between points adj argent the end Walls ot the casinej. The slack in the belt may be r ;ulated bi. the :uljustnieut screw 22 at the top ol the casing.

Extending' vertically longitudinallyv ot the easing'.v thereby dividing the latter into chainbers F and G, and loc-ated approfdinately midway between the side Walls thereof, and supported as by ineans of the bolts 30 on the end Walls thereof, and spaced an appreciable distance. troni the top Wall portions and the bottom of the casing' is the partition Wall 3l. The upper portion 3l ot the partition Wall inclines slightly toward the elevvater mechanism,v which latter occupies the CIB chamber F on one side of the partition walls, and extends above and below the latter, as is best shown in Figure 2 or' the drawings. 'lhe elevator mechanism is thus rendered accessible by the removable side wall 1, and is disposed in the casingrelatively to the partition wall, so as to discharge the grain beyond the inclined portion 3l thereof, the belt 29 functioning as a means tor directing the `grain.

l Located in the chamber G, abo-ve the secondary floor plate ll, and below the top of the side walls of the casing, are the'radiating batteries ot heating coils or units C. arranged in tiers.

An object of my invention is to provide a construction forv heating units which will be inexiensivc, durable and eihcient and will provide a large heating euriace and be capable ol being housed in a relatively small space, whereby theI machine rendered compact and relatively small in size. This,

l accomplish, by providing end supporting plates 32, extending preferably from the iloor 3, vertically in parallelism with the end walls oiP4 the casing, to a point above the heating units. As is best shown in Figure 2 of the drawings, these supporting plates are j iertoratcd by four vertical rows ot circ apertures o3, said rows arre' ged in lateral ali nnent, and the apertures ci all of the roi. s being uniformly spaced both vertically j vl laterally, said rows ot holes being'spaced uniformly as a whole from the side walls of the chamber G. Midway between said rows of apertures, are vertical rows of apertures spaced at intervals similar to therows of apertures 33, and in alternate relation to the latter. The apertures 3e are ypreferably ot square configuration, one diagonal of the square` being vertically disposed and parallel with the side walls of the chamber rlhe edges ot the supporting plates 32 are formed with ll-shaped notches 35, correspending to a half portion et' the square apertures 3er-,and being in lateral alinement therewith tor purposes hereinatter to be eX- plained.

The round and square apertures are thus arranged synnnctricallv iu interspaced relation one above the other inregular alternating relation both verticallyT and laterally.

As shown in Figure 3, each lheating unit consists of a coil composed ot a plurality of coil members or of pipes and has an inlet terminal 36, and an outlet terminal 37, which latter extends through the plate 32 and through and beyond the end walls 3. Each unit` as shown, consists of twelve horizontal pipe or coil members connected to form coils arranged in tnree tlat layers ot consecutively connected pipes, one above the other to bring the respective inlets of all units in vertical alinemenc ou one side einher (l, and the' respective outlets .hang

in vertical alinement on the opposite side ot the chamber G.

rl`he pipes ot each unit are connected by suitable return iittingsr 38, which are located between the supporting plates 32 and the end walls ot' the casing, and areadapted to abut with their inner' faces againstA said supporting plates whereby to suiciently overlap the circular apertures to t'orin a suitable enclosure to prevent grain troni' leaking therethrough.

` As best shown in Figure l, the inlets 36, and the outlets 37, are provided with shutoil valves39 (Fig. 10), said valves being connected by the reed pipe 40, which is intended to be connected with a suitable source of either steam, hot water or hot air. By .means ot the valves each heating unit may be individually shutoli to render it inoperative. Likewise` the outlets 37, are connected by similar saut-ott' valves 39, with an outlet 10, whereby the steam, het water, hot air may be discharged, each outlet being thus rendered capable of being shut ofi" at will. Arranged, parallel with the partition wall 3l'.y andbisecting the rows of square apertures 34, and extendingy beyond the upper and lower layers ot heating coil, are the division walls 41, snitably'secured at 42v to the supporting plates 32. These division walls serve to divide the heating chamber G into four long narrow vertical passage ways or drying compartments, @wtf-ac'", open at the top and bottoni, and obstructed ccntrally'l'f'y atier ot vertically spaced coil members, formed 'collectively by a part et' each et the three heating units. lt should be noted, that any one or all ot these paris may be rendered inetl'ective by the closing of the respective"shut-Ol valves 39, so that'it desired, only the parts ot the two upper units may' be used, it desired, thereby affording regulatory means for controlling the volume ot heat. Restingv with their legs against the division walls 41, and

extendingthrough the square aperture 34,

one on either side of the wall, are the baille members 43, the latter consisting of a right angled angle iron ot equal legs. two ot which,

when oppositely disposed, with the plate etlbetween them, vwill :trictionally engage the walls oit' the square apertures to be thus held positioned and form a lealz-proofjoint, to prevent grain from passing through. The notches 35 are adapted to receive baille members, so that the latter will projectvt'rom the walls e and 3l, to dei-lect the grain toward the pipe coils. l Y

Thebatlles are designed, to slightly overq the coil members, or, inl otherwords, exten-:l slightly between v rtically adjacent coil members, whereby, `a kernel ot wheat, dropped from above into one of the four drying compartments will progressively alternately contact in its tall, with a battle ing of a plurality of downwardly inclined open ended contiguous ducts extending generally in a direction transversely orn the coils, the walls of the ducts being inovably mounted whereby to change the direction in which they extend, and means extending to the outside or the grain heater and pivotally connected to the walls or said ducts for manually moving said walls to change the direction or flow of the grain for the purpose set forth.

el. ln a grain heater of the class described, the combination, a casing formed with a discharge opening and an internal heating chamber, ioriaontally disposed elongated heating coils in said heating chamber, grain distributing devices including ports tor distributing grain onto said coils located. directly above the latter, power driven lifting and discharging means for lifting the grain from a point below said heating coils and discharging same onto said distributingdevices, and means under said coils for conducting the grain into engagement with said lifting means to be litcd thereby, said means including means for diverting the direction ot iow ofsaid grain toward said discharge opening.

5. ln a grain heater of the class described, the combination, a casing having a discharge opening, and an internal heating chamber, means for distributively precipitating grain from above into said chamber, conducting means including runways for conducting the precipitated grain diagonally laterally toward said discharge opening and away from said heating chamber, a trough at the base of said conducting means to receive the grain, elevating and discharging means adapted to engage with the grain in said trough to elevate the grain and discharging the latter onto said precipitating means to bc precipitated thereby, and grain heating means in said heating chamber in the path of the falling grain to engage the latter, said grain heating means consisting in part of spaced parallel vertical rows of elongated horizontally disposed heat radiating cylindrical tubes, and vertical rows of square tubes interposed between said rows ot cylindrical tubes, said square tubes alterhating vertically with said cylindrical tubes.

6. grain heater, comprising a` casing having a discharge opening' and an inter nal heating chamber, heating units in said heating chamber, said units constructed to 'form collectively a. plurality oiQ vertical rows ot horizontally disposed heat radiating tubes, grain distributing devices having a plurality of ports, said devices disposed directly above said rows of tubes, and having their ports in vertical alinement respectively with said tubes, lifting means adapted to be connected with a source of power to be actuated thereby rnor lifting the grain from a point below said heating units'onto said distributing devices to be thereby precipitated through the ports of the latter, and deflecting means below said heating units adapted to receive the precipitated grain andderiect the latter, in its falling movement somewhat diagonally relative to said heating tubes, toward said discharge openings and said lifting means and into engagement with the latter.

7. A grain heater comprising a casing having a discharge opening and an internal heating chamber, heatingunits in said chamber disposed one above the other said units constructed to form collectively a plurality of vertical rows of horizontally disposed heat radiating tubes, grain distributing devices above said heating units for distributively precipitating the grain over said tubes, lifting means adapted to be connected with a source of power to be actuated thereby for lifting the grain trema point below said heating units to said distributing devices to be precipitated thereby, means adapted to intercept the precipitated grain in its tall from said tubes and deflect the same toward said discharge opening and into engagement with said hitting means, and means for seleetively rendering operative any one of said heating units singly or two or more collectively.

8. In a grain heater of the class described, the combination, a casing having a discharge opening, and an internal heating chamber, Ahorizontally disposed elongated heating coils in said heating chamber, downwardly inclined runways arranged in the path of the grain Jfalling from above through said chamber, beneath said heating coils for conducting the falling grain, said runwaysl directed diagonally relative to said elongated heating coils, toward said discharge opening, power driven 'grain elevating mechanism, extending from said runways to a position above said heating coils and adjacent thereto and adapted to engage the grain from said runways to elevate the latter and discharge same above and toward said heating coils, and a plurality of groups of ducts above said heating coils adapted to receive the grain from said elevating mechanism, said groups of ducts disposed transversely ot said coils, and arranged contiguously longitudinally of the latter, each duct of each group having a discharge opening, and each of said discharge openings arranged to precipitate the grain on a dierent heating coil.

9. In a grain heater of the class described, the combination with a grain heater consisting in part, of tiers of horizontally disposed heating pipesarranged spacedly side by side, the pipes of the tiers being spaced vertically, walls uniformly separating said tiers of pipes, and batlles extending troni said walls outwardly and downwardly to a red relative theretm said openings posed with their sides incline-:l 'freni the Yertical, and a right angled angleiron rof equal legs slidably fitting said open side oi: said separatii'igll wall Wl i e roby to Yorin outwardly and dou'n'wari'lly inclined ba'lics lor the purpose set torti).

l0. A, grain heater comprising a casingv V,harpe openii'ig* horizmitail,y d

having grain inlet and di the rer iccti Ve ends thereo'A` posed paced tiers of heating; piliies cxicm ing,` side by y et the canne side longitudi nalii at a loner level than said j jrain inletn and n'ieans, including elevating mechanism, or distributivel)l the fed dropping through said inletJ on to id heating pipes and causing the grain to travel in a course describing a helical path from a pointl oelow to a point above said heating pipes and to said grain outlet to be discharged therethrough, said means including ducts located between said grain inlet and said heatin" pipes Jr'or initially conducting the grain directly to the individual tiers of said heating pipes,

ll. il grain heater comprisingl in part, a casing, horizontally disposed spaced tiers ot heating pipes Within the casing extending' side by side longitudinally therein, and means including' elevating` mechanism for lifting the grain above and discharging' it toward said heating` jipes7 said ineans includingv a plurality ot' grain conducting' ducts open at the top each duct having a discharge end9 said ducts being` so mounted as to re` ceive from above the grain discharged troni said eleif'ating` mechanism, said duct-.s being of diiierent lengths to bringtheir discl'iarge ends into operative relation respectively with diii'ercnt tiers of heatingpipes.

l2. The combination with a grain heater comprising a casingj spaced tris ot heating pipes arranged side by side in the casing, and means including power driven elevating` mechanism tor lifting; the grain above and disclranging` it toward said heating pipes; ot a grain distributing clcnient in the path ol" the discharging grani. said element comprising a plate located above said heating pipes and inclined toward said elevating niechanisni in the path oit the discharging grain, rows ot spaced ports in said plate7 said rows being respectively in vertical alineinent with said tiers of heating,` pipes, the ports of adjacent rows being` arranged in staggered re.- lation, and a vertical Wall extending transversely ot said rows of ports between the staggered ports thereof for the purpose set forth.

ln testimony whereoiu l aiiX my signature.

WILHELM SCHVVEDE. 

